Scrolling with Hailey - Episode 274: Exposing The Evils of Child Trafficking

Host: Hayley Caronia
Guest: Ben Pauling (Writer, Director, Actor – “Dream”)
Date: April 9, 2026

Episode Overview

In this powerful episode of Scrolling with Hayley, host Hayley Caronia sits down with filmmaker Ben Pauling to discuss the urgent, underreported crisis of child trafficking in America. Through the lens of Ben’s upcoming feature film “Dream” – inspired by a vivid, life-changing dream and rooted in real-world rescue efforts – they delve into the realities of exploitation, the unique challenges of telling these stories in Hollywood, and the grassroots movement empowering everyday people to make a difference. With a bold, impassioned tone, Hayley and Ben confront uncomfortable truths, challenge the entertainment industry’s complicity, and invite listeners into direct action.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Reality and Scale of Child Trafficking

• Hayley leads with shocking statistics highlighting the magnitude of the crisis:

  • “A million children go missing in America every year and… 300,000 of them are being sold into the sex or labor trade. It’s real. It is happening right now in this great country of ours. And that $150 billion industry is unfortunately growing.” (01:16)

• The urgency and gravity of the epidemic is underscored throughout the episode, with both host and guest calling for broader public awareness and direct action.

The Genesis of “Dream” – Film Born from a Divine Call

• Ben shares the origin of the film, tracing it back to an unforgettable dream that set his life on a new trajectory:

  • “It all started with the dream that I’d had six years ago… I just felt behind those walls were this haunting cry of these children. I remember waking up from this dream and I went looking for this place.” (03:29)
  • He recounts searching for the warehouse from his dream, which led organically to the story that became “Dream”.

• The experience transformed his heart and provided a sense of divine calling:

  • “I felt like God had called me to step forward and to use my skill set and my voice to speak on their behalf… I had a heart for this issue and wanting to make a difference.” (05:01)

Hollywood’s Complicity and Obstacles

• Hayley and Ben discuss Hollywood’s exploitation of children, not just in trafficking, but also in the pressures and abuses faced by child actors.

• Ben, once a child actor himself, reflects on industry greed and image obsession:

  • “The whole impetus is greed… the cost is these people’s lives and these kids’ lives… and now the junk that they’re pushing out through media, it’s gotten even worse.” (08:17)

• Challenges in making “Dream” through mainstream channels:

  • "People were wanting to change [the film]… from child trafficking to drug trafficking and all the motivation was… about the money, not the mission. …Every single door in Hollywood was shut because of this topic." (10:25)

• The project pivots to a grassroots, community-supported model and finds resonance with ordinary people passionate about rescuing children, echoing the distribution path used by “Sound of Freedom”.

Crowdfunding, Integrity, and the Power of Audience-Driven Storytelling

• Ben insists on keeping the project independent to maintain its integrity:
  • “I’ve turned down a lot of money in order to keep the integrity and to make sure that this is not just a film... but it actually brings impact.” (10:25)
• The viral trailer, made with minimal resources, garners millions of views and demonstrates grassroots demand.
  • “Within a week, 5 million people saw it, then 10 million people saw it and now I think over 20 million people have seen the trailers.” (18:28)

Plot & Impact of “Dream”

• Ben outlines the film’s premise, inspired by both his dream and true stories from the field:

  • “This is a story about a young man who goes to this small town race with his little sister… she vanishes in the crowd… He’s compelled that this dream is from God and it leads him and his friends into breaking into this warehouse… uncovering this child trafficking ring.” (18:51)

• Groundbreaking partnership with Troy Brewer’s rescue ministry:

  • Film proceeds support real-life rescue missions, with a unique promise of direct impact.
  • “We have Rescue partners now… Troy Brewer… over 30 years now, [he’s] rescued 11,000 kids. They have 5,000 kids that they are raising right now.” (21:25)

Miraculous Real-Life Parallels and Rescues

• Ben relates the astonishing story of a real trafficked girl, rescued twice, who was written into his film before he knew her true story. Their connection with Troy Brewer leads to her literal rescue after cartel violence:
  • “The week that we connected with them… it happened to be the same little girl that I’d written about… she ended up getting rescued for the second time on her 10th birthday. …We just locked arms after that.” (23:02)

Distribution, Funding, and the Fight for Integrity

• Ben discusses circumventing Hollywood’s exploitative models by crowdfunding both production and distribution.
• Transparent about financial realities – aims to preserve proceeds for cause, not studios:
  • "Distributors take 40 to 50%… We want to make as much of an impact and make as much of a financial assistance to this cause and also the integrity of releasing it." (26:40)

Why America Is the Epicenter

• Hayley asks why the US consumes the most child exploitation content.

• Ben’s blunt response:

  • “It is Americans… 39% of even child sacrifice that takes place in the world is from Americans… I know that because one of our actors is great friends with Tim Tebow… you don’t have any idea what’s going on when you see it.” (29:04)

• He contrasts darkness with the potential for American action and cultural transformation:

  • "There’s also the opportunity that we have as Americans to change that." (29:04)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Hollywood system:
  “It was about the money. …Every single door in Hollywood was shut because of this topic.” – Ben (10:25)

• On impact through film:
  “We don’t need to, you know, view darkness to be able to go in and make a difference. We need to… bring light and hope to these kids.” – Ben (29:04)

• On faith and mission:
  “God sent you a dream to go break into a warehouse?” – Line from the film’s trailer (35:25)

• Hayley’s closing rallying cry:
  “Human trafficking is not a conspiracy theory. It is real. It is happening to children right now in this country. So the more hands on deck that we can get together to save these kids, the better.” (32:26)

Important Timestamps

• Introduction & Framing the Crisis – 00:50-02:00
• Ben’s Dream & Film Genesis – 03:29-05:01
• Hollywood’s Response to the Topic – 08:17-12:14
• Crowdfunding and Viral Success – 16:44-18:40
• Film Plot Overview & Troy Brewer Partnership – 18:51-22:27
• Real Rescue Story Parallels – 23:02-26:35
• Distribution & Funding Strategy – 26:40-28:32
• US as Largest Consumer & Call to Action – 29:04-31:54
• Film’s Official Website & Trailer – 31:54-32:26
• Trailer Excerpt (Dramatic Montage) – 33:38-37:59

How Listeners Can Get Involved

• Support/DONATE/Invest: Dreamfilm US
  • Watch the trailer
  • Reserve a seat for screenings
  • Get notified about releases
  • Proceeds directly benefit child rescue operations

Episode Tone & Final Thoughts

The episode is direct, passionate, and unflinching—combining hard data, personal testimony, faith, and a challenge to mainstream narratives. Both Hayley and Ben stress the importance of not looking away and encourage listeners (and viewers) to get involved both by supporting “Dream” and its partnered rescue organizations. The conversation is hopeful about the power of grassroots, community-driven change and uncompromising in exposing the failures of institutions.